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Don’t relent in fighting injustice, Gov Diri urges media
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended the economic policies of his administration, saying they are yielding the desired fruits.
Tinubu spoke at the All- Nigeria Editors Conference, (ANEC) of the Nigeria Guild of Editors with the theme: ‘Economic Growth and Development Strategies in Resource-Rich Country, holding at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris seized the occasion to reiterate his administration’s economic policies at a time when Nigeria is at a critical juncture in the nation’s journey toward sustainable growth and prosperity.
According to him, his administration has taken a bold step to end the ruinous fuel subsidy regime that deprives Nigeria from investing in critical physical and social infrastructure and the foreign exchange regime that was prone to unimaginable levels of arbitrage and abuse.
Tinubu disclosed that the economic reforms of his administration are targeted at transforming Nigeria from a consumption-based economy to a production-oriented one.
“IÂ am pleased to let you know that through our sustained reforms, we are witnessing our economy gradually making a rebound on the most important foundational level. Today, our debt service to revenue ratio has come down drastically from almost 100% to about 65%.
“Similarly, the revenues accruing to the three tiers of Government: Federal, State, and Local Government have grown exponentially with more funds going into the provision of social services and investment as well as the provision of infrastructure and social security.
‘’The local government autonomy granted by the Supreme Court based on the suit filed by the Federal Government was aimed at strengthening the governance structure at the local level as well as promoting grassroots development.
‘’A new minimum wage of N70,000 has taken off across all federal government establishments, with many of the state governments committing to implementing the same. ‘’Over 46,000 students are benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund across 59 tertiary institutions with a disbursement of over N5 billion. The first batch of 500,000 civil servants is set to become beneficiaries of the Consumer Credit Scheme with the release of N100 billion,‘’ Tinubu said.
Tinubu also listed the Presidential Loans and Grants Scheme, the Consumer Credit Corporation Initiative, the Renewed Hope Housing and Estates Initiative, the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, and the Presidential Unlocking Health Value Chains Initiative, among many others signature initiatives aimed at bringing economic relief to the Nigerian people and feeling a chapter of industrialization and prosperity, the likes of which we have never seen before.
He further stated these initiatives were specially designed to be a targeted intervention that would deliver sustained results in the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions of expectant Nigerians.
In addition, he stated that his administration aside from prioritising the development of roads, railways, and the upgrading of the ports to unlock economic opportunities across all regions of the country with the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, the media has not left out of the Renewed Hope agenda with the easy access to funds from the Bank of Industry at a single-digit interest rate, for the development and expansion of media businesses.
The President pointed out that the roles of the government and the media are intertwined in any thriving democracy and urged the latter to discharge its work in a manner that strengthens democracy done in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration, not recrimination and opposition.
He implored the media to see the government as an ally in nation-building to ensure the creation of an environment where transparency, accountability, and mutual respect thrive.
Diri begs the Media to fight injustice
Addressing the gathering, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri pleaded with the media to help to fight environmental injustice meted out to Bayelsa State, calling for fiscal federalism.
According to him, despite being a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil and gas production, Bayelsa faces severe environmental challenges and economic hardship.
He said stories on the plight of the people have been ignored and dismissed, and their rights trampled.
Diri stated that Nigeria must rethink the outdated idea that states have rights to surface land, while the federal government monopolises valuable underground resources.
He also harped on the submission of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission’s report to the State Executive Council which sheds light on the devastating impact of oil and gas pollution in Bayelsa State, highlighting the urgent need for remedial action and sustainable solutions.
Painting a grim picture of the environmental destruction, impunity, and severe harm to lands, waters, and community health that oil exploration and exploitation have wreaked on Bayelsa, Diri disclosed that the oil-producing Niger Delta State bears the brunt of 25% of Nigeria’s oil and gas pollution, yet receives insufficient compensation for the resulting environmental degradation and health crises.
He, therefore, enjoined the gathering editors and influential voices, to advocate policies that prioritise sustainable development and empower local communities to salvage those suffering from resource exploitation, environmental harm, and unequal economic access.
Obaigbena, Amuka, Anaba call for rescue of the media
In their separate remarks, the chairman of the occasion and Chairman of ThisDay and Arise Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of Vanguard, Sam Amuka, and the President of Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba lamented the dire economic situation in the country.
Obaigbena noted that as important as the current economic reforms are to the survival of Nigeria, the future can only be better if the reforms are given a human face.
According to him, while Nigerians should support the reforms, the government on its part must explore ways to protect the vulnerable and the poor from the economic shockwaves due to the ongoing reforms.
Amuka lamented the harsh business environment the newspaper has found itself in with the high cost of newsprint, stating that most newspapers are just still in the business of publishing because they want to remain as newspapers.
Anaba stressed that economic growth of Nigeria cannot be separated from the sustainability of the media industry, noting that media houses face mounting pressure to adapt to modern trends and remain financially viable while maintaining journalistic integrity.
Anaba pointed out that the greatest threat faced by media houses is the dearth of resources that would help in the dissemination of information.
